Thoughts? I have had a consult now with both, and both seem equally, ummm, equal I am self pay and travelling a very long distance, so I am worried about getting the most value I can. Things like after care, ever had to come back for anything, fills and defills....

I am doing this in November of this year, I just have to make a commitment to one or the other in the next few days. Would love to hear any experiences and/or words of wisdom.

My doctor would be Dr. Yau at Slimband or Dr. Cobourn at SWLC.

Thanks!!

The most widely used band is the Lapband by Allergan, the second most widely used is the Realize band which I think is also known as the swiss band. The other one I have never heard of but saying that i am sure that they are all much of a muchness. You should probably base your decision on the surgeon and the aftercare rather than the type of band.

Hi Elcee -- thanks for the reply. I probably wasn't very clear in that post. I have an option of two different clinics in TO, Canada. One is the slimband clinic and the other is the SWLC clinic. Different surgeons and some different options. So I am trying to find out as much as I can before I jump firmly on one side of the fence.

Congrats on your weight loss by the way, amazing.

I found this on those specific doctors/centers, definitely have a look. It sounds like SWLC is a much better and safer choice:

http://www.ratemds.com/doctor-ratings/47736/Dr-Chris-Cobourn-Mississauga-ON.html

Plus, it appears Dr. Cobourn uses the proven safe Lap-Band whereas I've never heard of Slimband.

I had mine done with SWLC and am very happy with it. In fact, I got a call from them today to see how I was doing because they hadn't heard from me since August. They are always very quick in returning any calls that I have made and answering my questions. I was done in Vancouver but deal with them through Toronto.

I had my surgery done this summer in Vancouver with SWLC. Overall, it has been a good experience so far. I would recommend them to anyone. I looked in to Slimband as well, but found that SWLC has a better after care record which is key. Best wishes on your journey...

I was banded with Slimband and I only have very good things to say about the dr and the staff. They have follow up care and nurses right across canada and you never have to pay for any adjustments or support. Dr. Yau is the pioneer of banding in canada so he is the most qualified surgeon. I am very happy with my choice and they are amazing.

I was banded with Slimband and I only have very good things to say about the dr and the staff. They have follow up care and nurses right across canada and you never have to pay for any adjustments or support. Dr. Yau is the pioneer of banding in canada so he is the most qualified surgeon. I am very happy with my choice and they are amazing.

You just join this forum 7 minutes before posting this, your profile is completely blank, and it's to sing the praises of some no-name band that others are speaking against?

I call sock puppet.

If anything, your post should be all the proof the original poster needs to know to stay far away from Slimband.

Excuse me but I just found this website today and why would I not sing the praises of my Surgeon and my clinic. As well Slimband has been around longer than any other clinic in Canada so i am not sure where you are getting your false information. Does the original poster with only 2 posts also come into question cause she is new? We all have to be new and start posting at some time......

As the original poster with only two posts -- I am asking for information instead of providing it so it would be hard for me to be stumping for any particular centre at that Thanks for the reply. I am still leaning towards SWLC due to the phone consult, will have to make my decision later today.

Thoughts? I have had a consult now with both, and both seem equally, ummm, equal I am self pay and travelling a very long distance, so I am worried about getting the most value I can. Things like after care, ever had to come back for anything, fills and defills....

I am doing this in November of this year, I just have to make a commitment to one or the other in the next few days. Would love to hear any experiences and/or words of wisdom.

My doctor would be Dr. Yau at Slimband or Dr. Cobourn at SWLC.

Thanks!!

I had the same issue,

but after my research, and reading a lot of threads from different websites....

I even joined the Slimband website...and many of their patients complaints were

regarding the "BAD" after care. Dr. Yau is very experienced, however, once they are done, you are basically on your own "according to their patients".

But when I did a search on Dr. Cobourn and his clinic, I found mostly positive things were being said across the board, from consult to after care. So to me it seemed like they were more on point and cared more about their patients outcome then Slimband....that is the reason I chose SWLC.....

Again do your research (it took me 2yrs to decide)....and make the best choice for you. I felt more comfortable with my choice, because I know after care was a huge deal for me.

Good Luck!!!

I had a consultation with SWLC and Slimband and decided on SWLC. I was not impressed at all with the staff at Slimband (it is the name of the weight loss centre, not the name of a lap band).

I will be banded by Dr. Cobourn on Oct.19th. I know several people who have been banded by him and they are very happy with the aftercare.

Thank you all. I have made my appointment with SWLC for November.

I was banded yesterday by SWLC...Dr. Coburn. and but were his staff amazing, and so was he...through my fear, they made me feel so comfortable and helped me keep my mind off until they put me out lol....all went well, I had a hernia repaired too....you will be in good hands!!!

I was revised by Dr Coburn. His bedside manner, knowledge of the band and obesity are only some of the things that amazed me. I was in France when my band slipped. I emailed SWLC and the nurses prior to boarding my emergency flight to Toronto and by the time I landed and turned on my phone, I had emails, text messages and voice messages from the nurses and Dr Coburn. I went straight to the emergency room where he had all the test requests lined up and he appeared within 10 minutes of my checking in and was there for the duration.

At the clinic, the discretion, attention and compassion is second to none.

I believe Dr Coburn is the Dr in Canada with the most band procedures under his belt.

He has my vote 110%

Bandjennafar, I'm glad you are happy with the clinic SLIMBAND. I had a friend who was banded by Dr. Yau and he has lost 120lbs! I did not find out until recently:). Continue to post, I didn't fill out my info until recently and I was posting blogs;) My pic is a photo of my pug;))) as for the original post, I choose SWLC and will be banded in November....